MY ACCOUNT
Everton midfielder Izzy Christiansen has announced that she will retire from football at the end of the Women’s Super League season on Saturday.
The 31-year-old’s final game will be against former club Manchester City, concluding a career that also saw her play for Birmingham and Lyon.
Christiansen won 31 caps for England, scoring six goals, and was a member of the Three Lions squad that won the SheBelieves Cup in 2019.
Announcing the news on the latest episode of her podcast, Three Players and a Podcast, she said: “It’s been on my mind since the start of this season because I knew my contract was finishing with Everton.
“Since 2019, I’ve been working really hard on the media side of things, analysing football, data and trying to deliver decent punditry or radio commentary. The place where I’ve got myself to now is 150% the right decision.”
Christiansen began her career at the Toffees, turning professional in 2008, and will retire having spent the final three years of her career on Merseyside.
She enjoyed the most success at City, though, where she won the WSL, FA Cup and two Conti Cups.
The 2016 PFA Players’ Player of the Year said: “My time at Manchester City was definitely the best of my career.
“We play away at Man City away on Saturday, which is a really fitting ending. I’m going to finish my career on grass where we had so many fond memories.”
Christiansen’s former team-mates and podcast co-hosts have been paying tribute to her career.
Arsenal and ex-Man City defender Jen Beattie described her as “the ultimate pro”.
Beattie said to Christiansen: “You’ve always looked after yourself in terms of training and going above and beyond to be the professional and player that you are now.
“You set the example of what being a Man City player was.”
Former England international Rachel Yankee added to the plaudits.
Yankee said: “A fantastic career. Some fine moments at Man City and then to play for Lyon when they were amazing, not many people can say they played in that team.
“It’s something you should be really proud of.”
